AKL Airport January 2023 - Terminal Flooding, Flights diverted

[cambriamarsh]

"no problem" = heavily restricted. It's a very short runway, 5995FT which is very short for a commercial airport.

Sure, to Australia is doable. But the aircraft are severally load restricted and wouldn't make it much further than East coast Oz even with a significantly reduced payload. And it's generally easier to get in than out.

LATAM won't be returning to SCL via WLG, I can assure you that.

Via AKL perhaps as a pick up the locals then gas and go?

 

[justinbrett]

Via AKL perhaps as a pick up the locals then gas and go?

If they can get into AKL why go to WLG?

 

[cambriamarsh]

If they can get into AKL why go to WLG?

They're in WLG now after being diverted

 

[Kiwi_Flyer]

They're in WLG now after being diverted

No. Latam left wlg for syd yesterday morning.

 

[cambriamarsh]

No. Latam left wlg for syd yesterday morning.

Ok thank you, so it was the westward not the eastward leg that was diverted

 

[Franky]

On a more serious note, one thing which occurred yesterday was the inter-island ferry Kaitaki, en route from Picton Island to Wellington lost power and was drifting in 100Km winds - all passengers were sent to emergency stations, anchors were deployed, and thankfully some power was restored, things improved and the ferry was evetually assisted into Wellington harbour by tugs. A similar incident happened in 1968 when I was serving on HMAS Vampire, and we were part of an multi Naval exercise group, which visited 3 ports in NZ in company with Kiwi ships. A month or so before, a really bad storm caught out a ferry called the Wahini on its trip from Nelson to Wellington, just a short trip across the Straits. She also lost power, and was quite close to the entrance to Wellington Harbour and was broached. The ferry rolled over on its side, and 43 lives were lost. As our convoy of about 10 warships went past the hulk which was then still visible in the water, each ship dipped they're Ensigns in respect to those who lost their lives. I still have a pic of this event, but unfortunately have no way of including it.


Shops and New Zealand’s airport pictured underwater. At least one person is dead.

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  By Anne Barrowclough ​

  
  
  
  Senior Digital News Producer
  
  
  
  
  
  

  and AFP​

  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
• AFP
• 11:15AM January 28, 2023
• 93 Comments

About 200 passengers due to fly to Sydney were forced to stay on-board the plane overnight while floods inundated the tarmac of Auckland airport.

A state of emergency has been issued for the New Zealand city as floodwaters have overwhelmed homes and businesses following a downpour of rain.

Qantas flight QF148 was cancelled after passengers had already boarded forcing them to sit at the gate for several hours.

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Passengers were served meals and drinks while they waited out the night on the plane.

They were also allowed time to stretch their legs in the aerobridge connecting the plane to the terminal before finally being able to return to the terminal about 2am.

Passenger Mark Andrews called in to Radio New Zealand to say they “vibes” on the plane were good despite the inconvenience.

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The lights were turned off so passengers could sleep and business class passengers were offered glasses of champagne, he reported.

He said the crew “were worried” about the fact that only half of the plane’s toilets were working.

The passengers were reportedly let back into the terminal about 1.45am.

An airport terminal inundated with floodwater in Auckland.

Two dead, two missing

Torrential rain in Auckland has left two dead and two missing, police confirmed on Saturday, following widespread flooding across New Zealand’s largest city.

The bodies of two men were found in floodwaters in two separate incidents in a northern suburb, police said.

The flooding also swept a man away in a community south of Auckland, and another person is unaccounted for after a landslide brought down a house in the city centre.

Storyful03:27 Roads Completely Swamped in Auckland as Floods Prompt State of Emergency​

Extreme flooding in Auckland, New Zealand, followed near record rainfall on January 27, swamping roads and… leading to an emergency declaration for the city. Video by Christo Montes shows several dramatic scenes, including a lane of State Highway 1 overflowing with water. Mayor Wayne Brown said the declaration More





“My thoughts are with everyone in Auckland as they wake up this morning to survey the damage and as they face an uncertain day ahead,” new Prime Minister Chris Hipkins said in a statement.

Police said they were “continuing to respond to a high number of calls to weather-related incidents”.

The flash flooding turned many of Auckland’s roads into rivers on Friday, and the wild weather closed the city’s airport, which is the country’s largest, with ankle-deep water in some terminals.

A digger is submerged in a flooded construction site in the Wynyard Quarter in Auckland.

Airport authorities said there would be no flights in or out of the facility before mid-day Saturday.

Hipkins, who was sworn in Wednesday after Jacinda Ardern’s shock resignation, wrote on Twitter that government agencies were “working flat out” to help.

His plans to visit the city were delayed because of the poor conditions, he said, adding: “I’m advised movement around Auckland remains difficult.” Hipkins said the national crisis management centre, housed under the parliament building in the capital Wellington, was helping to coordinate the emergency response.

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More to come...

 

[exLXCXFF]

NZ124 MELAKL appeared to take out same landing lights leading to a large amount of diversions

TAIC opened an investigation: TAIC investigating Boeing 777 loss of control on ground at Auckland Airport | TAIC

Also covered by Simon: The Aviation Herald

 

[Quickstatus]

What not to do?

Bus driving through Auckland floods

 

[twiningb]

I have flight bookings this weekend to/from AKL in Qsuites on the Qatar flights:

Fri 03/02 ADL-AKL (discount business fare through Expedia, aligned to below)
Sat 04/02 AKL-ADL (redeemed through Asia Miles back before they rebranded to Cathay, specifically to use up some old pre2000 fixed-expiry miles)

At this point it looks like the weather might be OK by then but Auckland mightn't be the best place to spend a day for a little while. I think the State of Emergency will still officially be in effect.

What do you reckon my chances are of getting refunds on these flights given the circumstances? I'd be happy to take Cathay miles back if they remain valid, but if they expire them that will be a write-off. Will Qatar refund all/most of the cash fare? Failing that, will either reschedule for later in the year at no cost?

(I have domestic flights MEL-ADL v/v to connect, but it's J one way which is refundable, and if I have to write off $90 of the return Choice fare that's not too bad.)

I bought the outbound with my Amex Plat so it should be insured too, but I'd rather not have to chase that and I don't imagine that will cover the domestic flight.

 

[seandenn]

I have flight bookings this weekend to/from AKL in Qsuites on the Qatar flights:

Fri 03/02 ADL-AKL (discount business fare through Expedia, aligned to below)
Sat 04/02 AKL-ADL (redeemed through Asia Miles back before they rebranded to Cathay, specifically to use up some old pre2000 fixed-expiry miles)

At this point it looks like the weather might be OK by then but Auckland mightn't be the best place to spend a day for a little while. I think the State of Emergency will still officially be in effect.

What do you reckon my chances are of getting refunds on these flights given the circumstances? I'd be happy to take Cathay miles back if they remain valid, but if they expire them that will be a write-off. Will Qatar refund all/most of the cash fare? Failing that, will either reschedule for later in the year at no cost?

(I have domestic flights MEL-ADL v/v to connect, but it's J one way which is refundable, and if I have to write off $90 of the return Choice fare that's not too bad.)

I bought the outbound with my Amex Plat so it should be insured too, but I'd rather not have to chase that and I don't imagine that will cover the domestic flight.

I'm based in Auckland and I can assure you that the city is operational and if you are visiting for a day and staying in the city centre, you will have a completely normal tourist experience. Shops, restaurants, bars - everything is open. The forecast is even looking alright.

Don't get me wrong, the weather event caused a lot of damage, loss of life and was widespread across most of the city - I am personally dealing with flooded spaces at my workplace which ruined my long weekend - but I wouldn't see it as a reason to cancel your trip.

 

[twiningb]

I'm based in Auckland and I can assure you that the city is operational and if you are visiting for a day and staying in the city centre, you will have a completely normal tourist experience. Shops, restaurants, bars - everything is open. The forecast is even looking alright.

Don't get me wrong, the weather event caused a lot of damage, loss of life and was widespread across most of the city - I am personally dealing with flooded spaces at my workplace which ruined my long weekend - but I wouldn't see it as a reason to cancel your trip.

That's helpful, thanks, @seandenn.

 

[maia200]

I'm based in Auckland and I can assure you that the city is operational and if you are visiting for a day and staying in the city centre, you will have a completely normal tourist experience. Shops, restaurants, bars - everything is open. The forecast is even looking alright.

Don't get me wrong, the weather event caused a lot of damage, loss of life and was widespread across most of the city - I am personally dealing with flooded spaces at my workplace which ruined my long weekend - but I wouldn't see it as a reason to cancel your trip.

That's great to know. Leaving on Friday for a long weekend.

 

[jase05]

I'm based in Auckland and I can assure you that the city is operational and if you are visiting for a day and staying in the city centre, you will have a completely normal tourist experience. Shops, restaurants, bars - everything is open. The forecast is even looking alright.

Don't get me wrong, the weather event caused a lot of damage, loss of life and was widespread across most of the city - I am personally dealing with flooded spaces at my workplace which ruined my long weekend - but I wouldn't see it as a reason to cancel your trip.

We are heading over next Thursday but unfortunately only in Auckland for the 1 night this time as we fly out Queenstown on Friday.
Good to hear things are returning to normal. We have about 10hrs between flights but still might head in to a city hotel